Tumbling mechanism



May 23, 1950 L.. w. LUBl-:Now l2,509,041

TUMBLING MECHANISM Filed July`9, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F IG .3. \`\/57 INVENTOR. EW/5 W. LUENOW ATTORNEYS.

May 23, 1950 1 w. LUBENOW TUMBLING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 9, 1947 /NvE/vroz.

5w/5 w.A L Urs/ENO w BY 1 ATTORNEY@ May 23, 1950 L. w. LUBENOW TUMBLING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 9, 1947 INVENTOR.

LEWIS W. LUBENOW A T TORNE YS.

Patented May v23, 195.0

UNITED .STATES PATENT vOFFICE TUMBL'ING MECHAN ISM Lewis W. fLubenow, Watertown, Conn.

Application July 9, 1947, Serial No. 759,886

.f2 Claims. `1

The present invention relates vto apparatus for agitating, as by tumbling, of parts molded of soft rubber or an elastomeric -material for the purpose of removing flash or fins therefrom.

This application is a -continuation-in-part of my earlier abandoned application Ser. No. l680,804 led July 1, 1946.

Soft rubber and other flexible or elastic materials may be molded into articles of many shapes such as washers, grommets, plugs, Stoppers and the like. The molding is generally accomplished under heat and pressure. In order that the iin-- ished article may conform precisely to Vthe shape of the mold, it is necessary that the mold be full. It is dicult to gauge the exact yamount of the stock to be placed in the mold 'and lfor this .reason a slight excess, rather than an insunciency, is always used in order to ibe certain that the mold is full and that the article conforms to the shape of the mold. The excess is forcedout-of the mold and results in the presence of fins or extensions on the molded article which are -not a part-of the desired shape. These extensions are commonly known as flash In some instances molds are designed with -a ash groove around the cavity to conne the flash toa definite pattern, and in other cases a number of small parts, such as washers, may be lmolded purposedly -with flash connecting them together 'to facilitate handling during molding. In such cases, and also when the mold is made'oi a pluralityoi parts, the -soft rubber may be forced into the cracks or joints between the mold parts --during -the molding. This is a common form of flash and is lespecially troublesome when the molds wear.

After the molding is completed, the flash must be removed. 'I'his is particularly diincult because of the iiexible and elastic Icharacteristics of the molded objects. Manyproposals heretofore have been made for removing `iiash from soft molded articles but the operationis generally carried out by hand Work with scissors, knives vand other implements operated by lhand to cut off the flash. This hand work is standard'practice inthe industry and adds greatly to the expense of themolded articles. It also results in irregularity in the varticles due to lack 'of uniformity in the skill 0f the operators. AIn some cases the molded objects are fed by hand to specially designed motorized trimming machines. These machines involve a high initial expense, are expensive to operate because of the manual feeding required and generally are not universally applicable for removing iiash from vla variety of shapes 4of molded articles.

It is -the principal object of the present invention to provide Aapparatus that is universally Isuitable for quickly and economically removing the flash from molded articles of various shapes and sizes.

This and other objects, as well as the advantages and the -utilityvof the invention, will become apparent from the detailed disclosure that follows.

In general, the invention provides a perforated container, such as a tumbling barrel, so positioned within a well insulated vessel or compartment as to be at least partially immersed in an inert liquid. The inert liquid is maintained at-a temperature at which the ash becomes hard and brittle so that when the 'molded articles in the perforated container are agitated `the flash will be broken off and separated from .the molded article.

Several embodiments of the invention are illustrated more v.particularly in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 along section line 2-2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of a modification of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a part-sectional View of the apparatus shown in Figure 3 taken along section 'line lie-fi flocking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is asectional elevation of another-em L bodiment of this invention;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of 'the apparatus shown in Figure 5 taken along section line S-"G looking lin the directionof the arrows; and

Figure i? vis a schematic view of -still another embodiment of the invention.

The apparatus illustrated in AFigures 1 and '2 comprises a tumblingbarrel H rotatably-mounted within a vessel or tank i2 'housed within a rigid frame il-iwhich is well insulated by `mea-nsV of an youtside-covering i6 and packed insulation Il. Tumbling barrel H is provided with perforations |19 in its periphery or its end walls or both and withacover plate 20 secured byiatches 2|. 'Tumbling barrel -l-i is suspended with-in vessel l2 by means of chains 22 vand 23 supportedbysprockets 25 and 26 and passing around sprockets 28-an'd'29 which are fastened tothe end walls -of 'tumbling barrel il so that lrotation of sprockets 25 and 426 induces lrotation of tumbling barrel l I. Tumbling barrel "lli is furthermore provided with a shaft 3D extending'through its longitudinal a-Xis and be-4 tween vertical pairs of guide rails 3| and 32 mounted on frame I4 at the opposite sides so as to restrict any sideward motion of barrel I| when the barrel is rotated. Endwise motion of barrel I is restricted by coliars 34 and 35 mounted on shaft 3l! between guide rails 3| and sprocket 28 at one end and between guide rails 32 and sprocket 2S at the other end.

Above vessel I2 there are provided guide ducts 31 and S8 and within vessel I2 perforated baies 40 and 4| to form storage spaces and a means of gravity feed for a heat absorbing material 43 such as solid carbon dioxide (Dry Ice) to vessel I2. Vessel i2 is adapted to receive and contain an inert liquid ifi that maintains contact with heat absorbing material 42 and is free to flow into and out of tumbling barrel |i by virtue of perforations I9 in the tumbling barrel and the perforations in baffles 4i? and 4|. A drain pipe 4B provided with a plug il is provided -at the bottom of vessel I2 to allow the inert liquid to be drained when the plug is removed and a vent 49 is provided near the top of vessel I2 to allow for the removal of carbon dioxide vapors. A fine mesh screen basket is provided at the bottom of vessel I2 and below the tumbling barrel II to collect small fragments of fiash which may escape through perforations I in the barrel during the tumbling operation.

The mechanism for driving tumbling barrel Il y comprises a source of power such as electric motor 5I coupled directly to a reduction unit 52, the output sprocket 54 of which is connected by means of chain 55 to a sprocket 5l mounted on shaft 59. Shaft 5S is supported by means of a pillow block mounted on bracket 8i. At the end of shaft 59 adjacent fame i4 there is mounted a driving portion 62 of a split coupling having on its face -a tongue 63 engaged with a corresponding slot in the face of driven portion 64 of said split coupling. Driven portion 64 is mounted on shaft 65 having afxed thereto Sprockets 25 and 2b described previously. Shaft 66 is supported by means of two flanged sleeve bearings 6l and 63 which are split along the horizontal axis with the lower half fastened to frame I4 and the upper half fastened to cover 69. This cover may suitably be fastened to frame I4 by means of several hinged screws l0, winged nuts 'II and brackets 'i2 and i3.

In operation the interior of vessel I2 is maintained at a temperature sufficiently low to render the flash hard and brittle by introducing solid carbon dioxide or the like behind walls or baiiies 31 and 38. Sufcient inert liquid to act as a heat transfer medium is introduced so that when the tumbling barrel I| is in the position shown in Figure 1 it will be at least partly immersed in said liquid. The molded articles I3 to be processed are introduced into tumbling barrel II through the opening provided by removing cover plate 20, whereafter said cover plate is secured in position by means of latches 2| and the entire tumbling barrel assembly, including shaft 5E, is lowered into position. Rotation of tumbling barrel is brought about by starting motor 5| and the speed of rotation may be controlled either by varying the speed of motor 5I if it is a variable speed motor or by the relative diameters of sprockets 54 and 5l. The molded articles I3 are chilled primarily by direct contact with inert liquid 44 and the heat removed from said articles is abstracted from the inert liquid by the heat abstracting substance such as solid carbon dioxide 42. The carbon dioxide vapors released by this absorption of heat are removed from vessel I2 through vent 49. The chilled flash on the molded articles becomes hard and brittle so that the tumbling action of said articles provided by rotation of tumbling barrel II effectively removes them from said article. When the operation is completed, shaft B6 is brought to rest so that the tongue and groove arrangement of split coupling 62, t4 is substantially vertical, the tumbling barrel assembly is lifted substantially out of vessel I2 and the molded articles and severed fiash are removed therefrom by opening cover 2|) and either dumping said articles from the barrel or scooping them out.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 differs from the illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 primarily in the means for abstracting heat from the inert liquid that serves as a heat transfer medium. In this embodiment coils 8|! are located in the lower portion of vessel I2 and preferably below the normai level of inert liquid 44. In order to abstract heat from inert liquid 44, a refrigerant is introduced by means of pipe 8|, conducted through coils 86 and withdrawn from said coils by means of pipe 32. Coil 8c may be the evaporator of a refrigerating unit comprising the usual compressor and condenser or it may be a conduit for a liquid cooled by an external refrigerating means. In this modiiication ducts 3l and 38 and perforated baiiies 4@ and 4| are not required and the structure of the wire mesh basket may suitably be altered as indicated in Figure 3 by reference numeral 84. The general construction of vessel l2, frame I4, tumbling barrel I I and the driving means for said tumbling barrel may be substantially similar to those previously described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

The operation of the apparatus illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 is substantially the same as of apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 with the exception, of course, that vessel I2 need not be loaded with a heat abstracting material such as solid carbon dioxide but that instead the refrigerating unit be placed into operation.

It is obvious that the particular construction of the apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 4 can be modified in innumerable ways and that all such modications are intended to be within the scope of this invention. Thus, for example, the construction of tumbling barrel II, its method of suspension, the drive therefor, and the construction of vessel I2 can be modified considerably by the application of well known principles without departing from the spirit of this invention.

In the operation of the apparatus described in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, it may be found desirable to provide an additional tumbling barrel assembly comprising parts 2i), 2i, 2B, 29 and 30 which can be loaded with molded articles It and stored in an ice box or cooling chest nearby for the purpose of prechilling the mass which is to be immersed in inert liquid 44 in vessel 2. In this manner the apparatus may be used most eiciently in that while one batch of molded articles is being tumbled the next batch can be loaded and pre-chilled so that the time required for exchanging tumbling barrel assemblies is reduced to a minimum.

The embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawing comprises a tumbling barrel I provided with perforations I IS which is mounted on stationary pipe or seamless tubing 30 by means of suitable bearing |34 and |35 within a rotatable, but normally stationary vessel ||2 'insulated against the transfer of heat by yinsulation I I1. `One 'end of 'tumbling barrel 1|.I is connected by means of 'a hollow shaft II- `disposed around and concentrically kwith pipe Ito 'and connected with 'a sprocket -or the like |29 which may be driven by any suitable means. An inert :liquid is cooled to a temperature `at which the flash of molded :articles becomes hard vand brittle in a refrigeration unit shown diagram- `matically at If|6 and passes therefrom through pipe 136 to be expelled into perforated tumbling .barrel I-II through per'forations or .refrigerant outlets :|I8. A plug I 20 within pipe |33 blocks direct passage of the cooled inertv liquid through :pipe |36 beyond the endof tumbling barrel III. The inert liquid is Withdrawn `from .or pumped outer vessel |12 through n return A.pipe |2I and through pipe |30 to .the left of plug |26 as shovvn Figure for re-cycling to a refrigeration unit |16, such asisshovvnv in more detail in Figure 'l by the coil 234 and heat, exchanger '226. YI-lere it maybe Ipossible to also use the heat exchanger tank 22e as likewise shown in Figure 7.

'The tumbling ba'el .and vessel assembly is supported vby pipe ISU resting on 'support frames |22 and |23 so that vessel v|12 and tumbling barrel -I Il are both mounted for rotation about said pipe. In the Operation of the apparatus, houlever, 4vessel |I2 does not rotate but is maintained in the position shown by means lof drum lock 125. VesselfII'Z is 'also provided 4with an insulated cover |26.

'In the operation of the 'apparatus illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the Y'molded articles to be processed are vintroduced 'to the "interior of tumbling barrel III 1by opening "cover |26 of vessel |12 and lid l|21 of tumbling barrel IBI. Lid |21 is then fastened in place `on tumbling ba'rrel "|11 by any Asuitable means, cover |26 'is placed on vessel |12, the introduction 4rof cooled inert "liquid from refrigeration `unit v'I'I'I is com'- menced `by 'opening "valve |28, yand the driving means for driving Vsprocket |29 andjtumbling barrel A|11 are set 7in motion. `When the operation is completed, VVvalve |28 is closed, cover '|216 and lid 'I 21 are removed,'the inert 'liquid is evacuated from the bottom of vessel j'II'2`through return -pipe 12|, and drum lock v|255 is -released so that the entire "vessel VH2 is turned upside down. By similarly turning tumbling vbarrel -I H so that the opening nnormally covered "by lid l|21 is in substantial -registry with the opening in vessel I2, the molded articles and the Aseparated "flash are dumped Aout. 'Vessel -I-|`-2 and tumbling barrel SI--II are thereupon `returned to their upright positions, and vessel LAI I2 is locked in place by drum lock |f25'so that `the apparatus is in position to receive another load fof molded articles for processing.

-It is to be understood, -of V"course, that it is within the contemplation `of :this invention to eliminate the rotatable feature lo'f vessel I I2 and to simply remove the moldedaticles `and flash from lthe interior of tumbling barrel III iby simply vscooping them out, las swell as yto make any other modification based on `vvell known principles. A

The `embodiment illustrated in 'Figure "1 includes 'a removable "tumbling barrel -2'|| of perforated plate, Wire mesh -or `4the like having a shaft J2M that is 'mounted 'for rotation ina bearing1205 'and -driven'fby a 'motor V-ZII'U through a chain 202 and sprockets 205| and '5203. The tl'lrlibliiigl ba'rrel 2TH :is r`provided with La hinged lid 'f2 I2 that can Ybelock'e'd in a-'closetl `-rlostion' 'by any 'suitable means and Vwith a number .or

buckets 2.69 havin-g perforations 2|IJ 'the :side thereof facing the tumbling basket :21|l 'The tumbling barrel is positioned .in an insulated tank 206 having a cover 201 hinged at :2118. .IA

removable fine mesh Wire basket 213 .is disposed inthe .bottom of tank i206.

The tank 206 is further provided with a .drain line 2|4 having a strainer 2I5 and a circulating pump 216. The discharge end 'of circulating pump '2|6 'is connected by way of a line '.proz-ivided with a valve 211 'to an insulated heat ex:- changer tank 218 provided with an insulated pover 219 and a number o'f space blocks 220. The lower portion Lof insulated heat exchanger -ta-nk 2|'8 is provided with :a discharge v-Way .of valve 223 and line 22"'4 which communicates with tank 42116 as shown.

The discharge end of circulating .pump 21B may also be connected by line provided 'with valve 225 to a coil type heat exchanger :223, thedischarge 'end of which likewise communicates with tank 2,06 by means of a valve .-221 andjlin'e 224. The lheat exchanger 226 isipro vided rwith evaporating coils `234 which are part of a refrigerant circulating system -comprising a check or suction service valve 230, a compres sor .229 operated by `a :compressor motor 22:8, a check or discharge service Valve 23|, a condenser '232 and ka `refrigerator control lvalve, 233i' If it is desired 'to .operate `the yen'frb'odinrert Y illustrated in .Figure '1 by ycooling the 'inert liquid 41| with solid carbon dioxide, valves 1225 and :225| are closed and valves 52|.'I and "223 are opened so that the 'inert liquid '44 Will circulate 'from the bottom o'f "tank 206 through line 1214-, strainer 215, :circulating .pump 2I6 and valve Y-2-11 into insulated :heat exchanger tank 2.18. The 'inert liquid 44 circulates within the tank and around a iblock 22| of l"solid ycarbon dioxide or the like, resting on space `'blocks 220. 'The solid vcarbon dioxide may, if desired, be leut into .slabs to increase its :effective heat fabsorbing area. yThe cooled inert liquid thereupon leaves the insulated heat exchanger tank 218 and passes 4through valve 223 and line AA224 to lbe reintroduced into tank 206.

rf, on the other hand, the vtumbling xmeenu anism is vto r-be operated in conjunction -with ya mechanical `refrigerating system, valves 23111 and 223 are closed and valves -225 and vv221 fare Yopened to permit the inert liquid M 'to flow vthrough 'ilifne 2M, strainer 215, circulating pump '216, `Valve 225, `heat exchanger 226, `valve l221 `'and so back through Vline A22e "into tank 20'6. Heat absorbed by the inert liquid While in the tank 206 and upon being subjected to pumping in circulating pump '216 is absorbed by a refrigerant 'in the coil '234er heatexchanger c226. The refrigerant passes from coil 234 into compressor 22g by-way of check valve 230 and 'in its compressed vstate passes from compressor 229 through check valve 23|, condenser 232 andrefrigerator control valve 233 lback into coil Y23II.

In yoperating with 'either `or vboth rerigeratig systems, the molded articles 113 "to Ybe processed are introduced into 'thetumbling barrel 2-|j'| through the opening provided by opened lid `212. The lid is then closed and the yturribling 'barrel' is rotated `Yin the counterclockwise direction. 'The inert `liquid in tank 266 is ifre'e to pass :through the perforations inthe vplates for wirefsereening'of which the tumbling barrel 2|I is constructed so as to chill the *flash on the molded articles -so that- `they can be eiectively v"retrieved 'by la tum? bling operation. The circulation of the inert liquid through the tumbling barrel is augmented by the removable buckets 209 which scoop up a portion of the inert liquid, and by means of perforations 2 l0 sprinkle it evently onto the molded articles as the tumbling barrel rotates. Any small pieces of ash that pass through the perforations in tumbling barrel 2li are deposited upon ne mesh wire screen 2I3.

Itis to be understood, of course, that this modication also is susceptible o innumerable changes and modications. Thus, for example, the heat exchangers 2l8 and 226 are essentially duplicates and need not both be present in the same circulating system. Where mechanical refrigeration is readily available, it may be desirable to eliminate all portions of the system shown in Figure 7 between valves 2H and 223. If, on the other hand, a mechanical refrigeration system is not feasible, all of that portion of the circulating system shown between valves 225 and 221 may be eliminated. It is, of course, quite possible to retain both refrigerating systems so as to either have an alternative system available at all times or to increase the cooling capacity to a maximum by operating both systems at the same time.

It is also quite possible to change the position of the circulating pump so as to discharge the cooled inert liquid directly into the tank 201. This is not preferred, however, for the reason that the pump will add some heat to the liquid. It is also quite possible to introduce the inert liquid through the shaft of the tumbling barrel as shown, for example, in Figure 5 of the drawing instead of the manner indicated in Figure '7, in which event the cooled inert liquid is cascaded over the articles in the barrel in greater quantity. In addition, it is possible to control the level of the liquid 44 in tank 20S by any well known means such as by locating the intake opening of pipe 2M at the desired level. Furthermore, it is within the scope of this invention to attach buckets such as those shown in Figure '7 to tumbling barrels such as are shownin Figures 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 and, in the embodiments wherein the inert liquid is cooled exteriorly of the tumbling mechanism, as shown for example in Figures 5, 6 and '7, to use either the buckets or the shaft, or both to cascade the inert liquid upon the articles in the barrel, or to rely solely upon the perforations in the barrel and its immersion in the liquid to chill the molded articles.

The invention is applicable for the removing of ilash from any soit, flexible or elastic molded objects such as are made from natural rubber, balta, gutta-percha, vulcanized articles and synthetic rubbers and plastics, such as butadiene, isoprene, vinyl and acrylic polymers, and polymers that have the property of becoming hard and brittle at sub-normal temperatures. The terms soft and iiexible refer to the usual properties described by these words, namely, the ability to be deformed by pressure such as can be exerted by the iingers. By` the word elastic reference is made to the well known property of an object returning to its original shape after being deformed.

To aid in removing the iiash more quickly a sucient quantity of normally rigid articles of any suitable size and shape, such as shot and the like may be added to the charge of molded parts being tumbled.

If articles having thin wall sections such as cup shaped or tubular shaped articles are to be processed in the apparatus herein described they can be reinforced by inserting suitably formed wooden or other supporting blocks prior to their introduction into the tumbling barrel, thereby preventing breakage of parts during removal of the ash.

The term inert liquid is intended to include any liquid that does not freeze at the low temperatures employed in this apparatus, is inert in not permanently affecting the chemical and physical characteristics of the articles to be treated, and preferably does not corrcde the apparatus. The inertness of soft rubber and other flexible and elastic materials with reference to various low freezing liquids is well known and the liquids can be selected without experimentation in view of these known properties. Methyl, ethyl. isopropyl and other lower alcohols, for example, are entirely suitable as such inert liquids. Salt brines, aliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons and other silimar organic liquids are also suitable if selected with proper precaution.

The temperatures at which the inert liquid is to be maintained within the apparatus depends upon the characteristics of the flexible or rubber-like material being processed. Some materials become hard at temperatures not too far below room temperature such as 0 F. Others are vcompounded so as to retain their exibility at relatively low temperatures to resist cold climates and atmospheric conditions at high altitudes. For economic reasons, the temperature of inert liquid in the apparatus is not maintained at a temperature lower than that necessary to cause the molded article to be hard enough to have the flash removed. Furthermore, the temperature must not be so low as to cause the material to become so brittle that the article itself is broken. The temperature selected can be readily determined without experimentation from the known or ascertainable properties of the molded article to be processed. For most of the molded soft rubber (natural and synthetic) articles which are encountered in commerce, temperatures between about 25 to about 85 F. are entirely satisfactory.

In the apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the temperature of the inert liquid can be regulated sufficiently by regulating the amount of heat abstracting substance such as solid carbon dioxide in the vessel. In the apparatus illustrated in Figures 3 to '7 inclusive, the temperature of the inert liquid can be regulated by regulating the ow of either the refrigerating medium in the coils or by regulating the flow of inert liquid through the coiling means.

t is to be understood that any suitable means or device for cooling the inert liquid with which the molded articles in the tumbling barrel come in contact are included within the scope of this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the container in which the molded articles are processed need not necessarily be a rotating tumbling barrel but that it may be any container which can be rocked, shaken or vibrated so that the molded articles within it will be agitated suiiiciently to cause the breaking off of flash `and which is suitably perforated to allow passage therethrough of the cooled inert liquid.

It is obvious that numerous other variations in the construction vand operation ofthe apparatus specically described herein may be made and it is to be understood that such of those that come Within the spirit of this invention are included within the scope thereof if within the following claims.

I claim:

1. A tumbling mechanism comprising an insulated vessel for containing a liquid, a perforated tumbling barrel mounted for rotation therein and adapted to be immersed at least partly within said liquid, and a bucket attached to an exterior surface of said tumbling barrel. said bucket being provided with perforations in the side adjacent said exterior surface to cascade said liquid over the articles in said barrel when the latter is rotated.

2. Apparatus for removing flash from articles molded from normally soft and elastic material which comprises an insulated vessel for containing an inert liquid, a perforated container for said articles mounted for rotation in said vessel and adapted to be immersed at least partly in said liquid, means for cooling said inert liquid to a temperature at which the flash becomes hard and brittle, a circulating system including at least one perforated bucket attached to an exterior surface of said container for circulating said cooled liquid from said cooling means, into contact with 10 the articles in said container and back to said cooling means, and means for rotating said perforated container to agitate the articles therein and to sprinkle them -with inert liquid discharged from said buckets after immersion of said buckets in said inert liquid.

LEWIS' W. LUBENOW.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 713,379v Barton Nov. 11, 1902 1,824,814 Frine Sept. 29, 1931 2,182,952 Todd et al Dec. 12, 1939 2,347,464 Cuno Apr. 25, 1944 2,380,653 Kopplin July 31, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 221,090 Germany Apr. 19, 1910 524,519 Great Britain Aug. 8, 1940 

